Though he carried a shutout into the fifth inning, Chien-Ming Wang was flirting with disaster all afternoon, needing to pitch his way out of several jams to to reach that stage of the game. Disaster finally came in the fifth, when Lucas Duda belted a two-run homer off Wang, the decisive blow in the Nationals’ 3-1 loss to the Mets.

Unable to do any damage against knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, who improved to 9-1, the Nationals were unable to complete a three-game sweep of New York. They now head to Boston to open interleague play at Fenway Park this weekend.

Nothing to do with the loss – which I am choosing to ignore right now — I heard rizzo on the radio today and he said that Jayson Werth is ahead of schedule. At some point it's going to be a revolving door. Next?

So if H-Rod hadn't pitched the other night on his bum finger, the move wouldn't be as suspect. But he did, and pitched reasonably well. Does MLB really not look behind these DL moves at all? Does H-Rod keep throwing so that if other injuries open a spot that they want him to fill it doesn't take too long to bring him back? Is he allowed to do that? I understand he can "rehab" for only 30 days. Is there any limit to "working out"?

Section 222 asked does MLB really not look behind these DL moves at all. I have a vague recollection that any DL move has to be accompanied by a doctor's note. Sort of like sick leave in some workplaces. I suppose they can find someone to say his finger hurts. Maybe he aggravated it pitching.

A potential roster problem is that the Nats have 45 players on their 40-man roster–60 day DLs don't count, but someone would have to be dropped if those players come back. So, while Marrero could go to Syracuse after his rehab, he'd have to come off the DL to be optioned to the minors, which means dropping someone else or putting another player on the 60-day. Current 60-day DL is Werth, Marrero, Ramos, Storen, Kimball.

Section 222 asked does MLB really not look behind these DL moves at all. I have a vague recollection that any DL move has to be accompanied by a doctor's note. Sort of like sick leave in some workplaces. I suppose they can find someone to say his finger hurts. Maybe he aggravated it pitching.

Re: Jayson Werth – Rizzo was on 106.7 this morning — ok, I was in the car and turned it on just HOPING for something Nats – related and a miracle occured – Rizzo was on! Not NFL garbage! Ok – back to the subject – he said that Jayson's range of motion is ahead of schedule and he is not wearing a brace on it for a good part of every day. This 60-man, dl, 25 man stuff is going to be quite interesting. Hopefully they will stay creative with the "DL". An embarrassment of riches! What's up with Davey making the kid crazy by telling everyone about his back. Does Davey ever keep anything private? He will be texting Davey the entire night assuring him he can play. Neither one will get any sleep. You know he can't wait to play in Fenway in back of Strassie.

Has anyone noted the crowd of 32,000+ today for a weekday game? I'm not sure that's ever happened before for one of these workday get-away games, usually dreaded in the season ticket distribution draft.

From MLB TradeRumors"Nationals scouting director Kris Kline discussed his club's draft today with the media, including Adam Kilgore of the Washington Post…. •The Nationals have agreed to terms with second baseman Tony Renda (second round), outfielder Brandon Miller (fourth round) and catcher Spencer Kieboom (fifth round). The team has also agreed to terms with "several college seniors taken in later rounds." •Kline believes third-round pick Brett Mooneyham will sign "relatively quickly." Mooneyham, a left-handed pitcher out of Stanford, is advised by Scott Boras. Kline spoke highly of Mooneyham's athleticism and potential, describing the pitcher as, at worst, "a Matt Thornton-type bullpen guy." •The team's draft day war room included a draft board charting prospects by how likely they were to sign. The Nationals called prospects each round with a set bonus figure in mind and asked if they would accept. “If it was a ‘no,’ we passed,” Kline said. “If they were hesitant at all, we passed. You just have to….We had to do our due diligence with signability with everybody with the new system in place, because you have limitations. There’s certain guys that were requiring too much money.”"

Disgraceful List – What DL stands for when a player goes on it after a conspicuously bad run of hitting/pitching.OutsideTheLaw – I definitely noticed it. I strolled to the gate today to get my grandstand seat at 11:30am to find they were nearly sold out! Glad I took off work so early! There must have been a lot of walkups, because not even the Outfield Gallery seats were sold out at 11am when I checked, as they usually go pretty quickly for well-attended games.

There were a lot of walk-ups, though not the longest lines I've ever seen. Hardest thing was finding a parking space, as several of the cash lots were full. Tough because people actually WORK in that neighborhood…

According to Keith Law Giolito was far and away the best pick relative to picking position in the draft; he is a real top of the rotation prospect. The rest of the picks were safe and not spectacular possibly based on the fact that Giolito will cost the Nats a good portion of their allotted draft budget. Renda is considered a 'scrappy' not toolsy 2nd baseman; decent hitter so so fielder.

Since we all like statistics, here is a simple but nice one. The Nationals have played fewer games than anyone in the division, but are 2 games better in the LOSS column. I don't care what anyone else thinks, but I like that statistic.

I understand he can "rehab" for only 30 days. Is there any limit to "working out"?"Rehab" means pitching in minor league games. That's why they call it a minor league rehab assignment. The limit on that is 30 days for pitchers, a week or two for position players. (Not sure of the exact number of days for that, but it's much less than for pitchers.)Before embarking on a rehab assignment, the player can do whatever he needs to for as long as he needs to. The only rule is that he has to not appear in a major league game for 15 days. He can be on a rehab assignment during that time, though. A stay on the 15 day DL can go longer than 15 days. 15 days is just the minimum. But if a player is ready to come off and the club dawdles on bringing him back, his agent and/or the union will raise a fuss.

NatsLady said… 20 day minor league rehab for position players. June 07, 2012 7:33 PM __________________________I recall Wang in 2011 doing extended Spring Training in Florida and thought that counted against his 30 days.

Encounter in the ClubhouseA one-act drama byNCNatsieSCENE: The clubhouse of the first place team shortly before a game with the Mets.TEENAGED PHENOM: Golly, Mr. Face, I’ve never hit against a knuckleball pitcher before. Can you give me some advice?FACE OF THE FRANCHISE: Well, son, I used to tell rookies like you the best thing to do was pray. But I read in the Post that Dickey has become a born-again-Christian, so I’m not sure even that will work today.(HE PUTS HIS ARM AROUND PHENOM AND THEY EXIT THE CLUBHOUSE DOOR. AS THEY DO, THEY PASS PERIC.)PERIC: (LOOKING BACK OVER HIS SHOULDER) Don’t forget, Face, sometimes a knuckleballer can ruin a hitter’s swing for a week.PHENOM: (WITH A FRIGHTENED LOOK ON HIS FACE) Is that true, Mr. Face?FACE: (PATTING PHENOM ON THE HEAD) Don’t pay any attention to him, son. He’s just trying to cause trouble. Just watch me. I’ll hit a home run off the very next pitcher I hit against. PHENOM: Gee, thanks Mr. Face.FACE: No problem. You just take care of yourself, okay?

mick said… I am done with Espi batting left handed!!!! June 07, 2012 5:24 PM ______________________________Lets face it, its gotten a little bit better and then he gets in a high leverage situation and he swings for the fences.Since Lombo is getting ABs in LF instead of 2B, I think in terms of if Lombo moved to 2B, will the person playing LF be better than Espi?That's where I was hoping that Corey Brown would stay up and play CF or LF and move Lombo to 2B.

And then there's Rick Ankiel – I know he actually walked twice today, but usually he just swings up out of his shoes and whiffs. I am not a stat guru – but when was the last time he actually hit one out? I don't even remember the last time he singled. Espi will probably get better and mature, I think Ankiel has peaked and may be on the way down.

I was actually thinking along those same lines. I get so sick of hearing the al teams whine and moan about their poor, delicate pitchers having to bat and run ( well,maybe them having to run the bases is not likely). Then at the end of interleague play they usually have won more games. I would almost rather see our pitchers hit than our pinch hitters. If you were so inclined to check the stats it could be a bit embarrassing for some certain bench players. The pitchers may be out-hitting them.Then there is EJax who pinch runs, too. They are studs.

Ankiel got yanked from the late inning walk off win. Harper went back to CF. It sent a message that said your strikeouts are not really as tolerable as you seem to think. He apparently got the message.

Lets hope DeRosa figured something out on his rehab or Tracy miraculously heals.I'm betting on Tyler Moore and Corey Brown who have both been tearing up the IL. If it were up to me I'd trade Ankiel and Nady, And give Brown and Moore prominent roles … just like Harper … and since Marerro is on the mend there's another bat so why in heck would I want DeRosa since that is whom he ostensibly replaced? He can't play the outfield, he can't play without getting injured? Why would they go back to him again? Because Davey asked for him.

AS THEY DO, THEY PASS PERIC.)PERIC: (LOOKING BACK OVER HIS SHOULDER) Don’t forget, Face, sometimes a knuckleballer can ruin a hitter’s swing for a week.PERIC: FACE I'm moving you down to 6th or 7th in the order until you get past your shoulder issues. Next day: FACE goes 4 for 5 with 2 doubles and 2 home runs and 6 RBI.

swami… if that is true, wow, imagine Werth back in lineup! If davey can stick with Lombo and bench Espi, then we have hitters in all 8 spotsLook at Werth's ISO and think again. Zim's isn't all that wonderful either. And LaRoche is starting to fall back to his mean which is flat-line average. Stick with the youth. If there really is talent you can never go wrong.

ChiefWJ said…A potential roster problem is that the Nats have 45 players on their 40-man roster–60 day DLs don't count, but someone would have to be dropped if those players come back.Its like the airlines … they're overbooking assuming injuries will occur (and they have) and ace TJ pitchers have to be shutdown (which Stras will if he starts pitching deeper into games). That's why they ran into a problem with Detwiler and Wang. (Before that: Detwiler, Wang, Lannan, Gorzelanny, and to some extent Stammen. All starters. )The kind of depth displayed is the kind a true contender needs to be there at the end. I'm not sure the veterans they picked (LaRoche and Werth) are up to the task. I have no doubt that Zimmerman will catch up in time. I'm also not sure Wang is up to the task. I guess we'll see. If Davey is wrong he isn't going to make the playoffs.

I'm betting on Tyler Moore and Corey Brown who have both been tearing up the IL. If it were up to me I'd trade Ankiel and Nady, And give Brown and Moore prominent roles … just like Harper If it were up to you, we'd have team made up of under 24 year olds from Syracuse, Harrisburg, Hagerstown, and Vermont. And we'd go 60-121. But you'd tell us we should be happy because the "prospects" would be developing. Listen, Moore has already shown us that he's not quite ready for the show, and Marerro had a SLG of .294 in 107 ABs last year. Brown hasn't had a chance this year. So I'd be happy to see him get a shot until Werth gets back. He can't be any worse than Ankiel or Bernadina, and it seems like he's a very good fielder. But Davey prefers Lombo and his .369 OBP in the leadoff spot, and I can't say I blame him.I agree with you that Ankiel is done, and I'm not expecting much from DeRosa either. But spare us the pumping up of of Korbernus, Skole, Goodwin, Antonelli (oh wait, he's gone), Hague, 30 year old Mark Teahan, and any other minor leaguer as the guy who is going to save us. I'm content to wait for Rizzo and Davey to decide that they are ready to produce in the majors.

I do wonder what the objective is with Tyler Moore. If he is going to sit the bench he just shouldn't be up here. He needs to play – he is not some aging veteran that can just pinch hit or sub in the field when needed. On the other hand – the line up looks pretty set and I can't remember when the last time was one of the regulars got a day off. Somehow there has to be a way to continue his development and serve the major league roster's needs too.

Swami, I am with you I am shocked anytime the flagship station actually is promoting the Nats with other shows talking Nats. Football is fine in its own time. But April to September should be baseball talk only,. Lavar and Dukes are clueless about that.

From Tracee's chat today, answering a question about Harper and whether Rizzo lost a year of control by bringing him up so soon. "As I recall, they did bring him up earlier than anticipated and that will cost them a year. And I imagine he will end up in pinstripes, yes. Now, that's based on things he's said right now and the state of the teams right now etc etc. He's a kid. Think of how much you changed between 19 and 25. So there 's a chance for some change. But I wouldn't hold my breath."I mean this is a paid sportswriter for the Washington Post. "As I recall"? Seriously?Why am I reading this drivel? I have no idea.

With out reading anything above, it appears Mr. "P" has moved past his or hers inability to deal with failure.Good for you.Ho hum dealing with idiots is BORING!? Last I looked I WAS THE ONE WHO SAW Morse … where IN AAA Syracuse and before that the PCL. And when Rizzo traded for him what did I say? He should give this guy a chance because let's face it … the Nats hitters at the time weren't winning many games even WITH Dunn and Willingham? And where was Natsjack then? Oh ho hum he's a AAAA player. Right.Section 222 sorry but you and Natsjack haven't been right. Whereas I have. Just ask. Who said they would draft Giolito.My gawd you actually listen to ludicrous baseball neophytes like that clown Natsjack? And section 222 … YES Brown and Moore have NOT been give sufficient chance to prove they are worthy major leaguers. Not by a long shot. Your comment is completely and utterly without merit for any consideration as a result. In other words too much Homer, doh, and too much Duff beer.

I mean this is a paid sportswriter for the Washington Post. "As I recall"? Seriously?Well, maybe its because she use to BE THE NATS JOURNAL? But yeah I wouldn't take much heed as she rarely gets anything right. Kind of like Ladson … now … as far as Bryce he goes where Boras gets him the most money and the deal he likes … pinstripes or red stockings … when the time comes.

Speaking of moves involving catchers … I guess the Nats feel they don't have enough with all the injuries to major league and minor league prospects. They just made a deal with the Pirates to acquire Kris Watts.And Jason Michaels has returned from the reserved (read retired list) to again captain the 2012 Syracuse Chiefs.

No MLB time yet; He's been at AAA Indianapolis this year and last. They are getting pretty thin on the ground at catcher, lately.Kristopher Coleman WattsBats: Left, Throws: RightHeight: 6' 1", Weight: 210 lb.Born: July 15, 1984 in Fremont, California, US (Age 27)Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 16th round of the 2006 MLB June Amateur Draft from Santa Clara University (Santa Clara, CA).Minor League Service Time (01/2012): 5 years

peric said… I mean this is a paid sportswriter for the Washington Post. "As I recall"? Seriously?Well, maybe its because she use to BE THE NATS JOURNAL? But yeah I wouldn't take much heed as she rarely gets anything right. Kind of like Ladson … now … as far as Bryce he goes where Boras gets him the most money and the deal he likes … pinstripes or red stockings … when the time comes. June 08, 2012 4:13 AM _____________________________Hate to say it. Its already time to put a Longoria deal on the table and buy this kid for 8 to 10 years. Heck, he will only be 27 to 29 years old then.I say that assuming this MASN cluster*$&% has been resolved.

MicheleS said… Sec 222 at 10:29.. Wholeheartedly agree!!! Which is why i scroll past. June 08, 2012 7:30 AM _________________________I look because he writes a lot and its there.If you throw 4 names out there, you may look smart 25% of the time and hope nobody remembers the other 75%Skole is his most mentioned player. Can't even call him a kid. He will be 23 years old next month and is batting .294 in Low A with a great OBP and power numbers. Keep in mind, this is Low A. If he was 21 years old and doing that, I would agree that he is something special. Goodwin is 21 1/2 and putting up similar numbers. Both players have to get promoted and show what they can do at the next level, and the level after that.

MicheleS…..Iwas planning on coming up for the Oriole series in Baltimore but it looks like work may interfere. After that, I'll be up for the Mets series in August as we are having a little reunion of old friends courtesy of the Mets.